Pallet braking mechanism

ABSTRACT

A pallet braking mechanism characterized by a spring-urged pivotal pallet engaging member which selectively coacts with a surface of the pallet for positive braking action.

United States Patent Inventor Samuel C. Warren Vanderburgh County, Ind.

App]. No. 775,086

Filed Nov. 12, 1968 Patented Oct. 5, 1971 Assignee George Koch Sons, Inc.

Evansville, Ind.

PALLET BRAKING MECHANISM 2 Claims, 2 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl

Int. Cl

Field of Search References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Gumpel 2/1905 Siner 188/251 X 9/1913 Lockwood... 188/62 X 5/1934 Frost et a1.... 188/62 X 12/1955 Mazis 188/62 UX 10/1962 Burmeister et a1 104/250 UX 2/1966 McCartney et a1. 188/32 X FOREIGN PATENTS 5/1967 France 193/35 A 12/1945 Great Britain 188/62 Primary Examiner-George E. A. Halvosa Attorney-Warren D. Flackbert ABSTRACT: A pallet braking mechanism characterized by a spring-urged pivotal pallet engaging member which selectively coacts with a surface of the pallet for positive braking action.

PATENTEU um 5 19 FIG. INVENTOR 67010:: C. I v/Mel BY 2%.. QM)

ATTORNEY PALLET BRAKING MECHANISM As is known, the use of floor conveyors is widespread, such type being as described in the DeBurgh US. Pat. Nos.

2,640,580 and 2,640,607. Oftentimes, with such type of conveyor, and, for instance, in a pallet close pack" and/or the sloping of a factory floor, the pallets driven by the conveyor are able to move freely. Any such uncontrolled movement could result in damage to the goods carried on the pallets, or, at least, a disruption of orderly product flow.

The present invention affords an effective mechanism for overcoming the aforesaid problem and disadvantages. Briefly, the pallet braking mechanism of the invention is typically positioned on opposite sides of the known skate rails forming part of the conveyor. In the alternative, the braking mechanism could be positioned anywhere in the area of the conveyor, as long as contact was made with a surface of the moving pallets.

The invention is defined as a body frame which supports a pivotal pallet engaging member. A resilient member, such as compression spring, continually urges the pallet engaging member into braking contact with a surface of the moving pallet. The pallet engaging member typically comprises a friction braking surface, made, for example, from leather, rubber or any material to provide frictional engagement with a surface of the pallet.

The present invention will become more apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein FIG. 1 is a view in vertical section showing the invention in combination with a typical floor conveyor; and,

FIG. 2 is a detailed view in side elevation of the braking mechanism of the invention.

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawing and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modification in the illustrated device, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

Referring now to the figures and particularly FIG. 1, a typical floor conveyor is shown defined by vertically positioned skate rails 12 connecting members 14 therebetween. As is known, skate wheels 120 are rotatably mounted along the skate rails 12 and pallets 15 move therealong, where only a part of a pallet 15 is shown in H6. 2 for drawing clarity.

Angle sections 17 are mounted on connecting members 14 and serve to support channel members 19, the latter receiving wheels 20 for movement of the conveyor. The wheels 20 mount intermediate trolleys 21 which are operatively connected to a detachable link drive chain 23, where the latter moves in response to energization of a power source, such as a motor (not shown). The undersurface of each pallet 15 includes a pallet pin 16 which operatively engage push trolleys 24 (a portion of one of which is shown in FIG. 1) in driving relationship, so that the pallets 15 move when the link drive chain 23 moves. The preceding is conventional and requires no further detailed discussion herein.

In a typical installation, the braking mechanism of the invention is mounted on sides of each skate rail 12. More specifically, the invention is defined by a body frame 25, secured, as desired, to each skate rail 12. Upwardly extending ears 25a form a part of each body frame 25, where a pallet engaging member 27 is pivotally mounted thereon at 250. The upper surface of the pallet engaging member 27 typically includes a layer of friction material 27a, such as leather, rubber or the like.

Resilient means, such as a spring 29, is positioned about a bolt 30, which extends downwardly from the undersurface of each pallet engaging member 27, the bolt 30 extending through a portion of the body frame 25 and being secured into position by nuts 30a. In other words, any downward movement of the pallet engaging member 27 is against the force of the spring 29.

In use, 111 the instance of an inclined floor, as the pallets 15 each move into engagement with the pallet engaging member 27, braking is provided as resistance to gravity, slowing movement of the pallet 15 because of the action of the resilient means 29. Typically, two of the aforesaid units are used to establish similar braking action along opposite sides of each pallet 15, preventing any unwanted rotation. 0n the other hand, a single unit may be employed, as in a turn or curve of the conveyor.

The invention is effective in use, and, of course, is susceptible to various changes, such as proportioning or the like, and, thus, should be considered illustrative and not as limiting the scope of the following claims:

I claim:

1. In a conveyor system having a fixed frame portion and movable pallets, pallet braking mechanisms secured to opposite sides of said fixed frame portion and in selective engagement with the undersurface of opposite sides of each of said movable pallets, each comprising a body frame, a pallet engaging member having an elongated braking surface of friction material extending substantially parallel to the undersurface of said pallet pivotally secured to said body frame, and spring means mounted between said body frame and an end of said pallet engaging member remote from said pivotal end continually urging said pallet engaging member into braking relationship with respect to said movable pallets.

2. The pallet braking mechanism of claim 1 where said spring means is disposed around a member extending from said pallet engaging member, and where fastening means are provided to position said member with respect to said body frame. 

1. In a conveyor system having a fixed frame portion and movable pallets, pallet braking mechanisms secured to opposite sides of said fixed frame portion and in selective engagement with the undersurface of opposite sides of each of said movable pallets, each comprising a body frame, a pallet engaging member having an elongated braking surface of friction material extending substantially parallel to the undersurface of said pallet pivotally secured to said body frame, and spring means mounted between said body frame and an end of said pallet engaging member remote from said pivotal end continually urging said pallet engaging member into braking relationship with respect to said movable pallets.
 2. The pallet braking mechanism of claim 1 where said spring means is disposed around a member extending from said pallet engaging member, and where fastening means are provided to position said member with respect to said body frame. 